Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Oct. 26, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

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Golden State Warriors player DeMarcus Cousins takes part in a press conference at the Rakuten Performance Center on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors' Jonas Jerebko (21) celebrates after scoring the winning shot against the Utah Jazz, with teammates Jordan Bell, rear, and DeMarcus Cousins, right, in the second half during an NBA basketball game Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)

Golden State Warriors DeMarcus Cousins (0) is photographed during the Golden State Warriors Media Day at Rakuten Performance Center in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Bob Myers, left, and player DeMarcus Cousins, right, take part in a press conference at the Rakuten Performance Center on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, center, talks with assistant coaches Bruce Fraser, left, and Mike Brown in the first quarter of their NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Bob Myers, left, and player DeMarcus Cousins, right, take part in a press conference at the Rakuten Performance Center on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

DeMarcus Cousins does an interview during Golden State Warriors Media Day in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Sep. 24, 2018. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)

Golden State Warriors General Manager and President of Basketball Operations Bob Myers, left, and player DeMarcus Cousins, right, take part in a press conference at the Rakuten Performance Center on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

(Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)

(Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

(Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

From left, Draymond Green, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, DeMarcus Cousins and Klay Thompson take a photo together during Golden State Warriors Media Day in Oakland, Calif., on Monday, Sep. 24, 2018. (Randy Vazquez/Bay Area News Group)

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - OCTOBER 19: Head coach Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors gestures from the bench in the first half of a NBA game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on October 19, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)

Golden State Warriors player DeMarcus Cousins, center, greets coaches with the teamâ€™s youth basketball camp after a press conference at the Rakuten Performance Center on Thursday, July 19, 2018, in Oakland, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

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NEW YORK — DeMarcus Cousins has yet to play in an NBA game with the Warriors, yet coach Steve Kerr has already had an issue with his behavior.

Kerr said he offered a stern message to Cousins on Saturday about his ejection from the bench during Friday’s game against the Knicks.

“‘Don’t do that again,'” Kerr recalled saying before Sunday’s game against Brooklyn.

Official Scott Foster ejected Cousins during a timeout in the first quarter of the Warriors-Knicks game on Friday. Foster told a pool reporter afterwards that Cousins ignored warnings about talking trash from the sideline to Knicks forward Enes Kanter. Afterwards, Cousins sounded dumbfounded to a handful of reporters about the incident.

But on Saturday, Kerr said that Cousins “apologized” to him about his behavior.

“He understands that he has a different role, a different team, a different situation. So, he’s got to move forward in his career, and he knows that,” Kerr said. “That kind of stuff is not going to help us win a championship. It’s not going to help his reputation.”

Cousins has cemented himself as a four-time All-Star with stints in Sacramento (2010-2017) and New Orleans (2017-18), but he had become prone toward collecting technicals and ejections because of his emotional outbursts.

Since the Warriors acquired Cousins at their taxpayer midlevel exception worth $5.1 million, they have praised Cousins for two things. They remain encouraged with his ongoing rehab with his injured left Achilles tendon that lately involves practicing with the team in non-contact drills. They also have praised Cousins for mentoring the team’s young frontcourt in Damian Jones, Kevon Looney and Jordan Bell.

Kerr struck a different tone, however, regarding Cousins collecting a technical and an ejection before he has even played a game.

“He understands that, and I think he immediately regretted what happened,” Kerr said. “I really appreciate him coming to me and making that pretty clear.”
(Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group)

Kerr speaks out on Cavs firing coach Tyronn Lue

If only LeBron James had not left Cleveland for the Lakers. Then, the Cavaliers may not have fired Tyronn Lue following an 0-6 start namely because their record likely would have been much different

“We’re completely reliant on our talent. If you’ve got talented players, then you have a chance,” Kerr said. “When LeBron left, he left Ty with a very difficult situation. I think it surprised everybody how quickly it manifested itself. But it’s the NBA. It feels like stuff like this happens every year.”

Therefore, Kerr said he “wasn’t surprised” with Lue’s firing after serving as an assistant coach (2014-16)and then as a head coach (2016-18) following David Blatt’s firing. That all coincided with James guiding the Cavaliers to four consecutive NBA Finals appearances against the Warriors.

“Nothing really surprises me anymore. I did feel bad for Ty,” Kerr said. “Ty’s a great coach. As coaches, we all know But Ty’s a great coach, and I’m sure if he wants to get back in the league, he’ll be able to do that. Ty’s done a hell of a job.”

Kerr has first-hand perspective after coaching the Warriors to three NBA titles over Cleveland out of four Finals appearances.

“He’s good. He knows what he’s doing, and he’s well-prepared every night,” Kerr said of Lue. “If he wants another shot, he’ll get one. But it’s always sad when you see a fellow coach get the axe like that this early in the season.”
(Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Shaun Livingston is sidelined again.

The Warriors’ veteran missed Sunday’s game against Brooklyn because of left foot soreness. Kerr added Livingston will likely miss Monday’s game in Chicago. Livingston has also missed two other games this season with a left knee contusion.